SAUGUS — Thanks to a unanimous “yes” vote on an order of conditions from the Conservation Commission, the Hamilton Street Bridge will go through reconstruction with a focus on the sidewalk, rehabilitation of the riprap slopes, and removal and replacement of a section of an outlet pipe and guardrail panel.
Matt Perry, a civil engineer with The Engineering Corp, represented the Town of Saugus Engineering Department to discuss the Bridge Preservation Project.
“The purpose of the project is to address observed deficiencies, which include insufficient riprap protection and the wingwalls, a misaligned drainage outlet pipe, and settlement of the sidewalk approaches and pavements surrounding existing sewer manholes,” Perry told the Commission.
The bridge, originally constructed in 1928, was last rehabilitated in 2002, so it needs improvements to extend its lifespan. It is bordered by vegetation and crosses the Saugus River.
“Most of the work will be performed from the bridge deck. Access to the outlet pipe will be by foot using a temporary 6-foot wide path, where no grading is proposed to accomplish that path,” Perry said.
He also noted that the work will be done during low-flow conditions and that, upon completion, all disturbed areas will be stabilized and restored to preconstruction conditions.
The project will not cause permanent resource area impacts.
“The land underwater impacts are associated with the placement of the sandbag coffer dam to achieve this dry temporary work area. The inland bank impacts are for temporary access to the northeastern wingwall, which will be replaced,” he said, continuing that any displaced material will be returned and stabilized as needed.
The repairs to the sidewalks and the replacement of riprap will not alter the elevations or the flood storage capacity.
Since the project does not propose to increase any impervious area or modify any drainage patterns, no increase in runoff volume or peak flow is anticipated.
“In closing, the project is designed to extend the life of the bridge, address critical existing safety deficiencies, while minimizing the impacts to resource areas,” Perry said.
Town Engineer Todd Baldwin also noted after the presentation that Town Meeting has since voted to study two other bridges in town for similar rehabilitation.
“It’s right next to the police and fire station, so it is a key bridge. We’d like to keep it in good shape,” Baldwin said.
Conditions for the project included that work on the pipe be done only during low flow and that the riprap not extend beyond the limit of disturbance.
